BJP asks Kerala`s Sree Padmanabha Swamy Temple authorities not to `impose` sudden changes on devotees

Kochi: BJP on Wednesday said custom and tradition are internal matters of a temple and asked authorities of Kerala's Sree Padmanabha Swamy Temple in Thiruvananthapuram not to "impose" sudden changes on devotees.

BJP state President Kummanam Rajasekharan also favoured bringing changes as per requirement of the times but said a permanent mechanism should be established in important temples like the Sree Padmanabha Swamy shrine to take decisions on its customs and traditions.

"There is no such system in Sree Padmanabha Swamy Temple. That is why such issues occur," Rajasekharan told reporters here reacting to the controversy over the decision to relax the dress code for women, permitting devotees to wear the traditional Indian salwar kameez and churidar while worshipping at the ancient temple.

"Customs and traditions are internal matter of the temple. There is a need for bringing changes in it as per the needs of time. But it should not be imposed (on devotees)," the BJP leader said.

He said all stakeholders including temple administrative committee members, representatives of organisations of devotees and executive officer should discuss the matter and sort out differences before introducing changes in the temple.

Rajasekharan said when such issues of dress code for women had come up at Guruvayoor Lord Krishna temple, the Devaswom Management could amicably settle the issue by discussing it with various stakeholders.

Various Hindu organisations today protested in front of the shrine in Thiruvananthapuram against the decision to relax the dress code for women.They were protesting the decision of the Executive Officer K N Sateesh, allowing women to enter the temple wearing salwar and churidar and offer prayers.

Women devotees earlier had to wear a 'mundu' (dhoti) over their waist if they were attired in salwar and churidar before entering the famous shrine, considered the richest Hindu temple in the world.